PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
June 11, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Departs for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland

On June 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, departed for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland for an official visit to the Church of England, upon the invitation
of His Grace Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the
Anglican Communion. Following the ecumenical visit, His Holiness will
conduct his first Pontifical Visit to the Armenian Church Diocese of Great
Britain.

>>From June 10-14, His Holiness will stay in Lambeth Palace, which is the
administrative center of the Church of England. On June 11, the Pontiff of
All Armenians will meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, followed by a
meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. In the
course of the trip, His Holiness will visit the Nikaean Club, the Shrine of
St Edward and Shrines of 20th Century Martyrs, St Mary’s Abbey (Anglican
Benedictine Women’s Community), and the King’s School, Canterbury. His
Holiness will also attend prayer services in Westminster Abbey, and on
Sunday, June 13, will deliver a homily in Canterbury Cathedral during church
services.

As part of the ecumenical portion of the visit, His Holiness is scheduled to
have meetings with His Eminence Gregorios, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great
Britain (of the Greek Orthodox Church), and the Council of Oriental Orthodox
Churches.

>>From June 14-19, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit the Armenian
Church Diocese of Great Britain. His Holiness will meet with Armenian
community members, visit the St. Sarkis Armenian Church (Diocesan
Headquarters), and will preside during the celebration of Divine Liturgy in
St. Yeghishe Armenian Church. His Holiness will also receive the Armenian
community of Manchester.

His Holiness Karekin II is accompanied by His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian,
Director of Inter-Church Relations; His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersissian,
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia; Rev. Fr.
Mesrop Parsamian, Staff-bearer of His Holiness; and Dr. Radik Martirossian,
Rector of Yerevan State University.

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